US president Donald Trump has called for Russia to be reinstated to the G7.

Mr Trump told reporters ahead of the meeting of major industrialised nations in Quebec: “Russia should be in the meeting, should be a part of it.”

Russia was ousted from the elite group – then known as the G8 – in 2014 as punishment for Russian president Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea and its support for pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

Mr Trump is set for a frosty reception in Quebec (AP)

The suspension was supported by the other members of the group, including the US, Canada, Japan and four European nations.

US special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating whether Trump associates colluded with Russia in a bid to sway the 2016 presidential election in Mr Trump’s favour.